The MacBook Neo is “the most repairable MacBook” in years, according to iFixit

Apple’s new MacBook Neo isn’t just the most affordable MacBook by far — it’s also the most repairable MacBook in “about fourteen years,” according to a deep rupture from the iFixit how-to website.

The “big story,” in iFixit’s view, is the battery. While older MacBook batteries are supposed to be glued in place, the Neo’s battery is held in place by a tray secured with 18 screws. That’s a lot of screws, but iFixit stated that “the screws still hit the glue every time.” In fact, this new setup — which will make replacing your MacBook’s battery much easier — “sent cheers around the iFixit office.”

Other changes that reportedly make the MacBook Neo more repairable: a flat disassembly tree, the fact that Repair Assistant seems to accept parts without complaint, and an easier-to-replace screen and keyboard.

In the end, iFixit still had concerns — like soldered-on RAM and storage — that gave the Neo a repairability score of just 6 out of 10. But it said that for a MacBook, “that’s a strong score.”

In 2012, Apple announced a redesign of its MacBook laptops with its new Retina Display MacBook Pro. The change was part of a push to move the repair of Apple devices in-house or to Apple-authorized repair shops, and removed many of the DIY repair capabilities that previous models had. Many of the new MacBook components, including the memory cards and battery, were stuck. iFixit gave this model a Rating 1 out of 10 for repair.

Since then, Apple has faced criticism for opposes some right to redress laws in states and creating the so-called component matching barriers that limited or prevented devices from working with non-manufacturer components. Laws allowing people to repair devices in states including Oregon pushed the company to remove restrictions about iPhone repair using older parts.

Memory and storage are still soldered onto the new MacBook Neo, making it difficult to upgrade. “But the components that fail first are more accessible than on any MacBook in a long time,” iFixit said. “The battery is screwed instead of glued. The ports are hinged. The screen is easier to replace. The internal layout is unusually logical.”